Reporting an Injury at Work

Reporting an Injury at Work Date: Jan 23, 2019

You sustained an injury on the job. It’s nothing serious. You aren’t experiencing a lot of pain and you don’t foresee serious long-term consequences. Do you still have to report the injury to your work superiors? The answer is “yes” — and you should do it immediately.

It’s better to report something and have nothing come of it than to ignore it and regret that decision later if the injury turns into something more serious. In addition, reporting an injury at work can alert an employer to a problem that may need to be fixed, such as faulty machinery that could injure others if it is not addressed. Follow these steps to ensure you report the injury in the correct manner.

When to Report a Work-Related Injury

Reporting your injury in a timely manner is important because it ensures you have the ability to file a workers’ compensation claim in Chicago later should you need that option. Every state has a deadline for reporting an injury. In Illinois, you must report a work-related injury within 45 days, or you could lose the opportunity to collect any benefits.

You should report your injury as soon as possible in order to give yourself the best chance of getting benefits. Waiting will not serve your interests or those of your employer. Even if nothing comes of the report, it’s best to be transparent. Plus, you will remember the details much better when the accident is fresh in your mind.

How to Report a Work Injury in Chicago?

The first thing you should do is talk to your supervisor about the injury. Simply telling a co-worker about an injury does not constitute proper reporting. You should also provide a written notice of the accident to your employer, as this becomes part of the record of the incident. Your work may require you to fill out an accident report as well.

Your written notification should include your name and contact information, as well as:

The date of the injury and the place where it occurred

How the injury happened

A description of the injury and any symptoms you have experienced related to the injury

Request a copy of the accident report form for your own records as well, so you have a full account of what took place.

Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer When You Report a Work Injury

Suffering a workplace injury can lead to confusion and frustration, in addition to the actual pain of the injury. You may feel uncertain about your rights, and it can be easy to want to put the accident behind you without pursuing the benefits you are entitled to, simply because you want to avoid a hassle.

If you or a loved one has been injured on the job in Chicago, contact the Law Offices of Argionis and Associates LLC. Our experienced attorneys can advise you on the best course of action to pursue workers’ compensation and will watch out for you during what can be a drawn-out process of securing those benefits. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.